The Second Mate

TWENTY-TWO

After Philippe drove to the airport, Marke instructed Haram to escort Denim back to their home. The vampire knew his lover was exhausted from the hunt Haram had her perform, the night before. He would've done it himself but alas duty calls. The vampire entered the pack house, greeting pack members who were moving furniture around the house. Marke made them go about their business as he headed to Remus' study. The Beta entered and both men greeted each other with a curt nod.

"I had Haram instruct the family about the attack on Zahra's territory. We will be ready at your call." The Beta informed.

"Thank you. You won't be joining the front, however. There will be a meeting of the ranks later in the evening." Remus stated as he kept his gaze at the horizon beyond the window.

"Of course. For the meantime, I shall assay the matter at Charlotte. A clan of vampires are passing across the border and it may be viable that I personally address the matter. George doesn't favor our kind well, it may pose as a problem." Marke reported.

Remus nodded at this. "Yes. I have a surgery scheduled in two hours. I hope we get here in time before the meeting."

Remus walked away from the window and grabbed the suit jacket he folded atop one of the chairs on the long table. The vampire nodded once more before taking his leave. He descended the foyer and waited for the pack members to carry the bookshelf. He stopped from heading out the door when he caught a familiar scent from the furniture.

"Are those the Luna's things?" Marke's question made the werewolves pause as they stood on attention to their Beta.

They were hesitant on answering the question.

"Yes. Marianne's room is being refurbished. They're taking her things to the guest room on the lower wing." Shannara, one of the Deltas, responded.

Marke towered over the Delta in a blink of an eye. "I will not tolerate disrespect. You may not have acknowledged Marianne but she is still the Luna of this pack."

There was fear in Shanarra's eyes as she stepped away from the vampire.

You have no idea about what you're talking about. The female Delta never found the courage to utter those words as the courage to look Marke in the eyes were also lost.

Long gone were the pack members who were moving the furniture. They didn't dare stay longer in their Beta's presence after they sensed his displeasure to the higher ranked werewolf. Shannara kept her eyes to the ground, in fear of what the vampire would do. Before she could inhale another huff of air, Marke was gone. She breathed out the air she was holding and scanned the room, she was alone in the foyer.

Marke left the pack house before the idea of ripping the Delta's throat inched his thoughts. He had more pressing matters to address over a Delta's fussing on their arrogance over having a new Luna. A majority of the Deltas has recognized Marianne as their Luna either due to respect or simply because they had no choice. The Beta stepped on the gas as he hastened his driving to the place of his business.

"Are you all slacking off! Why are the bloodsuckers still entering the territory?" George, a pack Delta, fumed at the pack members.

"Because I ordered them not to interfere." Marke responded as he entered the training grounds.

"At ease." The Beta addressed the pack members who disregarded their training as they stood on attention.

George scowled at the vampire, knowing he had no authority to question their Beta nor having the capability to go against him.

"I will personally handle the matter regarding the Von Stein. I expect no unnecessary upheaval or I will hold you accountable for it." The vampire continued after receiving no response from the Delta.